#TIFF23: “THE CRITIC” REVIEW

The Critic

By Amanda Gilmore

Set in 1934 London, The Critic follows Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) who’s a ruthless Drama Theatre Critic for the Chronicle. When the main editor of the paper dies, his son David Brooke (Mark Strong) takes over the company. Brooke isn’t a fan of Jimmy’s recurring written cruelty of theatre star Nina Land (Gemma Arterton). Thus, giving him a month’s notice before he’s let go. But Jimmy will stop at nothing to save his position.

Screenwriter Patrick Marber adapts the novel from Anthony Quinn and delivers a story of ambition and blackmail. It takes place during the rise of the British Union of Fascists. A period where Jimmy needs to live in hiding for who he is. He’s been given a position that most only aspires to achieve. It’s his most prized accomplishment.

McKellen gives a mesmerizing performance as the scathing critic. In other hands, we’d wish for Jimmy’s demise.

Yet, McKellen’s heavyweight talent causes us to often side with this often despicable anti-hero. He’s equally matched with the bewitching Arterton. At times The Critic lags, particularly in the beginning, but once their characters meet the energy ignites to the finish.

Overall, The Critic is a rollercoaster ride through blackmail, betrayal and murder within the theatre and newspaper world. The entire ensemble give powerhouse performances including Leslie Manville who makes an impact in a few short scenes.

The Critic screens at TIFF ’23:

Monday, September 11 at 12 PM at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Wednesday, September 13 at 4 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Saturday, September 16 at 3 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE GOOD LIAR”

We are thrilled to give Readers across Canada a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE GOOD LIAR. Screenings take place as follows!

TORONTO
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
259 Richmond St W
Toronto ON, M5V 3M6

VANCOUVER 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:30 PM
Cineplex International Village
88 West Pender, 3rd Floor
Vancouver BC, V6B 6N9

MONTREAL EN 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:30 PM
Cineplex Odeon Forum Cinemas
2313 St. Catherine St. W. Suite 101
Montreal Quebec, H3H 1N2

MONTREAL FR 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:30 PM
Cineplex Quartier Latin
350 Rue Emery
Montreal QC, H2X 1J1

EDMONTON 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St Suite: #3030
Edmonton AB, T5T 4M2

OTTAWA 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Drive
Ottawa ON, K1J 1G1

CALGARY 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex Odeon Westhills
165 Stewart Green SW
Calgary Alberta, T3H 3C8

WINNIPEG
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St. James Street
Winnipeg MB, R3G 3L3

HALIFAX 
Screening details:
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax
190 Chain Lake Dr.
Halifax NS, B3S 1C5

Synopsis:
Consummate con man Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen) has set his sights on his latest mark: the recently widowed Betty McLeish (Helen Mirren), worth millions. And Roy means to take it all.

From their very first meeting, Roy begins plying Betty with his tried and true manipulations, and Betty, who seems quite taken with him, is soon going along for the ride. But this time, what should have been a simple swindle escalates into a cat-and-mouse game with the ultimate stakes—revealing more insidious deceptions that will take them both through a minefield of danger, intrigue and betrayal.

Legendary actors Helen Mirren (Oscar winner, “The Queen”) and Ian McKellen (two-time Oscar nominee, “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “Gods and Monsters”) star together on screen for the first time, in this smart and suspenseful thriller from New Line Cinema about the secrets people keep and the lies they live.

“The Good Liar” was directed by Bill Condon, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Gods and Monsters,” from a screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher (“Mr. Holmes”), based on the widely acclaimed novel by Nicholas Searle. The main cast also includes Russell Tovey (“The History Boys,” “Quantico”) and Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”).

The film was produced by Greg Yolen and Bill Condon. Richard Brener, Andrea Johnston, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, Anjay Nagpal, Jack Morrissey and Nick O’Hagan served as executive producers.

The creative filmmaking team included director of photography Tobias Schliessler (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Mr. Holmes”), production designer John Stevenson (“Burton and Taylor”), editor Virginia Katz (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Dreamgirls”), and costume designer Keith Madden (“Patrick Melrose,” “Mr. Holmes”). The music was composed by two-time Oscar nominee Carter Burwell (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” “Carol”).

Trailer:

 

Artwork:

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate there in the comments your City. Please advise if you are requesting French tickets for Montreal as well. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.

 

Rules and Regulations here.

 

Warner Bros. Canada release #GOODLIARMOVIE is in theatres Friday, November 15, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “CATS”

A visual feast! Check-out this new Trailer for Tom Hooper’s CATS, featuring a star-studded Cast including Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, Rebel Wilson, James Corden and Taylor Swift!

Synopsis:
A big screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved smash musical Cats and the poems from “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” by T.S. Elliot in which a tribe of felines known as The Jellicles have to decide each year which one of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer.

 

See the Trailer:

 

Universal Pictures Canada release CATS this Christmas!

 

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

#SPOTTED: PETER JACKSON, LEE PACE + PHILIPPA BOYENS IN TORONTO FOR CANADIAN PREMIERE OF “THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES”

Fans of The Hobbit Franchise might be sad that the end of the road is near for the epic Trilogy, but Toronto Fans certainly would not be let-down! Director Peter Jackson, Screenwriter Philippa Boyens and Actor Lee Pace (who plays Thranduil), made a surprise visit to the City today to promote the final Film in the Series, The Battle of the Five Armies. This Installment sees Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), the Wizard Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan) and the 13 Dwarves try to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the Dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

Among their hectic Press Tour stops today included several interviews, including a visit to eTalk Studios for a Live Audience taping of eTALK & THE HOBBIT: ONE LAST TIME, which airs Monday, December 22, 2014 at 7:30 PM EST on CTV. The Trio then head over to Scotiabank Theatre to watch their Film with Fans, before partying at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Some lucky Fans in festive “middle-earth” Cosplay at Eaton Centre this afternoon also were awarded a chance not only to win Tickets to the Premiere, but also the Afterparty!

Be sure to check-out the limited-time-only The Hobbit Lego Display at Eaton Centre before Wednesday, December 10, 2014!

We lined the chilly Red Carpet tonight where Jackson, Boyens and Pace arrived shortly after 9:30 PM, stopping to chat with several Media Outlets. Some Fans even were lucky enough to score a rare Autograph from Academy Award-winning Jackson, although he made clear a no Selfie Policy though his Handler. Pace however was amazingly-giving, taking his time to accommodate Fans, some who had been waiting for at least ten hours for a chance to see him.

See the Trailer below:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES on Wednesday, December 17, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Bell Media/Warner Bros.)

#SPOTTED: RICHARD ARMITAGE IN TORONTO FOR “THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY” | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Toronto received a great treat today with British Thespian Richard Armitage visiting Toronto for the Canadian leg of the Press Tour for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  Appearing bright and early at Union Station this morning to present an installation by Warner Bros.’ which includes visuals from the eagerly-awaited Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) Blockbuster.  100 devout Fans – many who got the tip here – were lucky enough to score passes to tonight’s Canadian Premiere from our Friend Maurie Sherman from KISS 92.5.

The Method Actor is a familiar face to many having landed a role in last year’s Captain America: The First Avenger, but it is his breakthrough role as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit Trilogy which will make Armitage a household name.  Arriving at the Station shortly after 8:00 AM amidst the bustle of  Commuter Traffic, he caused a commotion among Onlookers, many asking “Who is that?”.  Oh trust me, they’ll soon know.

Armitage appeared dapper and handsome in vest and suit with all eyes migrating towards his blue eyes – looking like a perfect Cousin to Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor.  Generously he posed for Photos and Autographs with Fans new and old. An interesting tidbit is that he happens also to be a Multi-Instrumentalist, playing both the Flute and Cello.

Fans are welcome to visit the Roots Flagship Store at 100 Bloor Street West throughout the day where Passes will be handed-out to the Premiere.  For one day only, the Shop will be hosting Lenticular Displays for The Hobbit, so don’t fret – it’s not too late! Word is, at some point the Actor might even surface at the Store…

So I happened to nab an Autograph for one lucky Reader.  All you have to do is click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013 to enter. Good luck. All are welcome!

Warner Bros. releases The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Friday, December 14, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY”

At long last, we get a detailed look at The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey! This brand new two-and-a-half minute Trailer for the latest from  looks stellar.

The Adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen Dwarves led by the legendary Warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the Goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum‘s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey stars Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott and Aidan Turner.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Warner Bros. releases The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on December 14, 2012.

Don’t forget to visit the Official Website for The Hobbit for a total four alternate endings to the Trailer!

 

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)